Inflammation is a natural, protective biological response from the immune system to fight off harmful foreign pathogens (bacteria, viruses, toxins) that cause illness and disease. It is also your body’s way to heal from injury. But did you know there is an inflammation-sleep connection? For example: when your body gets a fever, it is how you know your body’s inflammatory system is working correctly when you are ill. When an “invader” tries to enter your body or you get injured, your immune system sends out its “first responders.” These are called cytokines (substances that stimulate more inflammatory cells). These cells begin an inflammatory response to trap germs or toxins and start healing injured tissue.
Injuries and infections are typically the cause of acute inflammation. Environmental factors, including aspects of daily life and exposures to toxins, are usually the cause of most cases of inflammation. Common causes include:
- Low levels of physical activity
- Chronic stress
- Having a BMI at or above 30 (obesity), especially when excess weight is deep within your belly
- An imbalance of healthy and unhealthy microbes in your gut
- Regularly eating foods that cause inflammation, such as foods high in trans fat or salt
- Disrupted sleep and circadian rhythm
- Exposure to toxins, including air pollution, hazardous waste and industrial chemicals
- Using tobacco products
- Regularly drinking too much alcohol
Some symptoms of acute inflammation and signs the body’s immune system is in “fight mode” to neutralize a threat include:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Heat
Some symptoms of chronic inflammation include:
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Fatigue and/or insomnia
- Fever
- Pain and stiffness
- Mouth sores
- Skin rash
- Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Acid reflux
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Frequent infections
Inflammation-Sleep Connection
Two of the most complicated processes of the human body are sleep and the immune system. Sleep, immune function, and inflammation all share a common regulator. Our sleep is regulated by circadian rhythms. When circadian rhythms are out of line, so is our sleep. When circadian rhythms are disrupted, so is our normal immune function. We’re more prone to unhealthful inflammation and more at risk for diseases.
There is a strong body of research depicting how inflammation-sleep occurs. The studies have included:
- Acute, prolonged sleep deprived patients were studied (people who were not allowed to sleep for 24-hours or more). When the patients were lacking this magnitude of sleep, these individuals had severe increases in inflammation.
- Partially sleep deprived individuals were observed, which is something typical individuals experience. The study showed that there were elevated inflammation levels compared to the individuals who were getting enough rest.
Inflammation-sleep connections can disrupt the natural sleep cycle. If the body is going through an inflammation process, they tend to spend less time in REM sleep and suffer from a lack of deep sleep. REM sleep is extremely important for many of your body’s functions and this restorative sleep is also critical for encoding new memories into long term memories. It is also during REM sleep that endorphins for pain relief and growth hormone for healing are released. When you fail to get enough REM sleep, you’ll wake up feeling tired and groggy, even if you have been asleep for the recommended 7 hours.
Relaxium Sleep
There is a correlation between lack of sleep and inflammation in the body. Inflammation can start acute but over time can become chronic. Getting enough sleep is crucial to reducing the risk of inflammation and complications. Finding the right sleep aid with the safest ingredients can help you get enough sleep and reduce inflammation. Relaxium also has the perfect synergistic blend of nonaddictive ingredients. The ingredients include:
- Valerest (228.9 mg) which is exclusive to Relaxium Sleep that can help to significantly improve the quality of life through better sleep.
- Ashwagandha extract (125 mg) is a high-potency extract that improves your ability to sleep through the night, increases daytime energy, and improves concentration.
- Magnesium citrate, glycinate, oxide (100 mg) which is the go-to mineral if you want to relax muscles and promote the release of mental and physical tension.
- L-Tryptophan (500 mg) is a natural way to obtain serotonin and melatonin which both promote a night of restful sleep.
- Melatonin (5 mg) is a drug-free hormone that is key to any effective Drug-Free sleep formula. Relaxium’s melatonin is free of the contaminants often found in low-quality melatonin.
- Chamomile extract (75 mg) which delivers a nerve-soothing relaxation.
- Passionflower extract (75 mg) is an ancient anti-stress remedy that helps to combat everyday stress by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain that control mood and sleep.
- Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) (100 mg) is a neurotransmitter that relieves stress, relaxes the body, and helps you get good sleep. As an added benefit, GABA appears to help keep cortisol at a lower level which is great for the weight conscious.
The goal of Relaxium is to offer an ultra-premium, drug-free, effective non-habit-forming sleep aid at an affordable price. This way, everyone can easily and safely get the benefits of healthy sleep, without worrying about dangerous side effects and help reduce inflammation-sleep based sleepiness!
At Relaxium, we have a simple mission – to create affordable, safe, and effective supplements. Through extensive research, we created four life-enhancing supplements: Relaxium Sleep, Relaxium Calm, Relaxium Immune Defense, and Relaxium Focus Max. We use a perfect synergistic blend of ingredients in our products to ensure results. If you are interested in trying our Relaxium products, click here for more information!
To restful and healthy days ahead,
The Relaxium Team
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Why is Inflammation Worse at Night? (sleepdoctor.com)
Is there a Connection between Sleep and Inflammation? | Sound Sleep Medical
What Is Inflammation? Types, Causes & Treatment (clevelandclinic.org)